A BRP Drive Part Two

We didn't stop at Mount Mitchell this trip, but continued on north.  After a bit the Parkway begins to descend, and at the lower elevation we saw more trees with leaves and more color.  

Golden beeches and fir snags

Every time we pass the Laurel Knob overlook, I like to stop and visit the table mountain pines.  

Table Mountain Pine, Pinus pungens

Table mountain pine is not one of the more common pines--this tree is only found in the southern Appalachains.

Pungens--the second part of its binomial scientific name--is Latin for sharp, and the table mountain pine is definitely prickly.  It has stiff, sharp-pointed needles in bundles of two.  Its cones have sharp, upward-curved prickles.  

If you look up from underneath, you can see that the cones and dead branches are held on the tree for many years.

There's also a dead table mountain pine at the overlook that adds interest to a panoramic photo in the afternoon shadows.

 Not far past the pines, we took highway 80 down towards Burnsville and then we made our way back to Madison county.